Complex would cost $590,000 to repair

CHRIS PARKER/TIMES NEWS The former Coaldale High school, now known as the Coaldale Complex, is in need of repairs. Council expects to discuss the matter when it meets on Oct. 12.

By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com

It would cost Coaldale Borough $590,000 to make needed repairs to the former Coaldale High school, now known as the Coaldale Complex, according to engineers.

The information is contained in a report compiled by Alfred Benesch & Co., whose engineers on July 27 inspected the massive, 88-year-old building, which currently houses the Carbon County Head Start program.

Borough council members were given copies of the report on Tuesday. A summary page obtained Wednesday by the TIMES NEWS included the cost of the immediate repairs.

Council expects to study the report and discuss it when it meets next at 7 p.m. Oct. 12. An engineer will meet with council at 6:30 p.m. to answer any questions council members may have about the report.

Ÿ An environmental inspector should conduct an inspection of the entire school to determine if air quality in the school is in good condition.

Ÿ The crack in classroom 25 should be further analyzed/investigated to check for movement in that room. There were cracks on the outside of the building in that location.

Ÿ The exterior entrance of the coal bin should be sealed off.

Pudleiner and Kuklinski advised the following four immediate safety recommendations that need to be addressed if there are people in the building:

Ÿ The deteriorated roof joists in corridor 28 should be temporarily supported to prevent progressive collapse of the member;

Ÿ The missing concrete arch roof joists should be temporarily supported on the second floor in classroom 21;

Ÿ All of the storage items on the second floor should be removed and placed on the first floor. Access should only be granted to the second floor to borough officials. Anyone walking on the second floor should wear a hard hat, safety goggles and work boots at all times;

Ÿ All loose trim stone and bricks should be reconnected on the exterior of the school.

In an Aug. 25 letter to council, the engineers wrote that the first floor of the building, used for the Head Start program, should not be occupied when there is snow on the roof. However, if the four immediate safety recommendations are met, the "school can remain open and during a snow event," engineers wrote in their summary report.

They offered a preliminary cost estimate for the work: $500,000 for second floor structural rehabilitation; $30,000 for metal coping on the parapet, and $60,000 for exterior brick and stone work.